Carding wool in Otavalo

A kneeling woman, wearing a dark shawl and an embroidered white blouse, adjusts her wooden carding paddle. (Learn more)

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The carding paddle has steel tines to separate the wool, straightening and cleaning it before it can be spun into yarn. Carding wool is the last stage in preparing raw wool to be spun into yarn. In order to ensure a high-quality product, wool is often carded a few times before being spun. The process helps to remove dust, dirt, and other impurities, as well as short fibers.

Learn more about Ecuador, Otavalo, South America, crafts, craftsmanship, weaving, wool, and world cultures.

Definitions

card n.
To prepare wool for spinning by separating the fibers and combing out impurities.

Links

  • Lesson plan: Threads through South America: Weaving in Ecuador This lesson for grade six takes a look at the weaving and textiles created in the Andes of Ecuador in and near the town of Otavalo. In addition to learning about Ecuadorian weaving, students may also create their own woven artifact.

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